The relations between Europe and the United States, which have been tested recently, the desire of the Greek government to play an active role in Gaza and the Middle East, and the government’s planned work for 2026 are the focus of the Facebook post made by Kyriakos Mitsotakis this Sunday.

In detail, he states:

“Good morning.

The past week highlighted the challenges of the new world that is emerging, the importance of transatlantic relations, but even more so the value of Europe’s strategic autonomy. As we discussed at the extraordinary European Council on Thursday, Europe must be united, defend International Law and the sovereignty of its Member States, as in the case of Denmark and Greenland. At the same time, we must maintain a framework of mutual understanding and functional channels of cooperation with the United States, even in periods of tension, while also clearly defining our red lines. Greece, as a member of the European Union with a strategic relationship with the US, works toward solutions that strengthen multilateralism, security, and stability—not in confrontation, but in coordination with our allies. We support Europe’s strategic autonomy through stronger defense and greater competitiveness, we seek an active European role in Gaza and the Middle East, and we undertake substantive initiatives within the European Union and the UN Security Council. In a world of uncertainty, Europe’s cohesion and our country’s multifaceted strength will determine our credibility and the power of our voice.

These are the realities around us. Domestically, our task is one: to move forward with a plan, strengthening our country’s stability. The path is one: reforms. This is also reflected in the government’s planning for 2026, which was presented this week. It is a specific plan, with 30 reforms and projects and 10 flagship legislative interventions across all critical policy areas: from supporting incomes and confronting the deep state, to upgrading the National Health System and public schools, reforming urban planning authorities, and strengthening national defense and civil protection. I invite you to review it in detail, along with the 2025 report, both of which are posted on the website of the General Secretariat for Coordination https://gsco.gov.gr, so that everyone can see them and judge us.

And because plans have value only when they are implemented, below you will find some examples of commitments we have already delivered.

The first is the completion of the road axis from Dimario of Xanthi to the Greek-Bulgarian borders. A project of particular importance for the local community, as it improves mobility and broadens the economic activity of the wider region. This road is part of the vertical axis “Xanthi–Echinos–Greek-Bulgarian Borders” and is included in the trans-European transport network, constituting a tangible example of successful cooperation with our northern neighbors, Bulgaria and Romania, along the Baltic–Black Sea–Aegean corridor.

With the same logic of consistency, the systematic strengthening of Primary Health Care is also moving forward, with the most recent proof being the fully renovated and upgraded Health Centers of Vari and Koropi, which serve a large portion of the population of Eastern Attica. The interventions concerned both building infrastructure and energy and operational upgrades, while since 2019 we have significantly strengthened them in human resources. The Vari Health Center now has 48 health professionals, up from 39 in previous years, while the Koropi Health Center is currently staffed with 53 employees (medical, nursing, and other staff), with the filling of three additional permanent medical positions imminent.

However, we know that in Primary Health Care facilities, especially in island regions, there is a shortage of doctors, as despite the significant financial incentives that have been provided, the calls for applications to fill positions often remain unsuccessful. Nevertheless, the Ministry of Health “does not give up.” It is proceeding with the reannouncement of 95 positions for specialized NHS doctors in six Health Regions, with emphasis on island, mountainous, and remote areas of the country. The goal is for there to be a response this time and for these structures to be substantially strengthened where needs are greatest.

In January, two important waste management projects moved forward. First, the construction of three Recovery and Recycling Units in the South Aegean—in Syros, Mykonos, and Paros—was tendered through PPPs, with a 25-year operating period. At the same time, the Interministerial Committee approved the project for the construction and operation of Recovery and Recycling Units and sanitary landfills (HYTΥ) in Lamia and Chalkida, also through PPPs. After the launch of these projects, only the construction of units in Lesvos and Samos remains to complete the overall planning of waste management infrastructure. The country’s picture has changed significantly in recent years: in 2019, 3 units were operating and 5 were under construction, while today 14 are operating and 27 more are under construction. And within the year, construction will also begin on the units in Kavala and the two large units in Thessaloniki.

I continue with the latest updates from two important initiatives for people with disabilities, within the framework of the National Strategy “A Greece with everyone, for everyone.” The first concerns the Early Childhood Intervention Program, where the Ministry of Social Cohesion and Family has begun contracting beneficiaries and providers. Access has already been approved for 2,500 children up to 6 years old with disabilities, on the autism spectrum, with developmental disorders, or other neurodevelopmental difficulties. For the first time, beyond EOPYY benefits, these families will receive support of €400 to €800 per month for sessions tailored to each child’s needs. For our second initiative, the “Home Accessibility” program, the deadline for submitting supporting documents has been extended until February 6. I remind you that the program is addressed to people with disabilities of over 67% and provides a subsidy of up to €14,500 for interventions in the home or workplace. Upon submission of documents, a 50% advance is paid, with the remaining amount disbursed after completion of the works. To date, 1,767 people have already received the advance.

I change subject to refer to the dismantling of a large criminal organization that systematically defrauded consumers by bypassing fuel inflow-outflow systems at gas stations. According to the Hellenic Police, over the past five years alone this organization is estimated to have earned at least €25 million from short fuel deliveries, through illegal software installed on pumps. Congratulations are due to the so-called Greek FBI, which through methodical work and cooperation with the Independent Authority for Public Revenue has achieved significant blows against criminal activities to the detriment of society and the state. However, I also want to focus on the institutional outcome of this effort. Since 2024, new regulations, intensive inspections, and strict sanctions for fuel smuggling have been activated. The result is measurable: 699 special orders were issued to suspend fuel supply and distribution at gas stations (105 in 2024, 564 in 2025, and 30 in 2026). A two-year sealing was imposed on 40 stations, while operations and supply were halted at dozens more connected to illegal networks. Financial and administrative penalties are severe, because quite simply no one can play with consumers’ pockets. 2026 is expected to be a milestone year, as the inflow-outflow system will be digitally interconnected with AADE’s myDATA. Thus, more than 6,000 public- and private-use stations will now be monitored with even greater accuracy and effectiveness.

Another issue worth highlighting is the increase recorded in 2025 in filings of Patents and Trademarks in our country. According to data from the Industrial Property Organization, last year saw a historic record in applications for national Patents, which reached 1,107. This is not an isolated event, but the result of a steady trajectory in recent years, reflecting the country’s technological dynamism and its convergence with international technological trends. The contribution of Greek Universities and Research Institutions stands out in this trajectory, with strong inventive activity in the fields of diagnostics, pharmaceuticals, Artificial Intelligence, and materials. This constitutes a core of knowledge that feeds a more mature and competitive innovation ecosystem. At the same time, the picture is improving in the field of trademarks, where the time required for granting has been reduced from several months to just a few days, tangibly facilitating business activity. It is no coincidence that trademark registration applications in 2025 amounted to 7,663, up from 6,337 in 2024, recording an increase of 20.9% and confirming the dynamism of the Greek market.

A brief reference also to Sports, where support is being strengthened again this year. Funding from the taxation of gambling players’ winnings increases to €80 million, from €66 million last year, and is directed to 6,453 amateur sports clubs registered in e-Kouros. Since 2022, when sports funding from betting profits was institutionalized for the first time, total funding has doubled, from €250 million to €500 million. At the same time, for the first time National Sports Facilities will be made available free of charge for training to all National Teams, in all sports, addressing a longstanding cost for Federations. Especially for clubs on our islands, the funding coefficient is increased and reaches up to 60%.

And I will close with culture and the repatriation of five significant antiquities—an Attic marble relief from the second half of the 4th century BC and five bronze anthropomorphic figurines—from London to the Archaeological Museum of Piraeus. The objects were in the possession of the company Robin Symes Limited, which is under liquidation, and thanks to the methodical, long-term, and well-documented claim by the Ministry of Culture, they returned to their homeland. One more substantive step for the protection and restoration of our cultural heritage.

I bid you farewell! See you next Sunday!”